Network Slice QoE Measurement via Intermediary Node
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless network systems face challenges in measuring and reporting user quality of experience (QoE) for virtual network slices, particularly in identifying and optimizing network performance metrics like latency, throughput, and data losses across shared physical infrastructure, as user devices may not be aware of the specific network slice they are subscribed to.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where a network node in a communication platform configures, measures, and reports QoE by transmitting measurement requests to user devices, which perform network slice performance measurements and report back to the platform, allowing for optimization of resource allocation based on collected data, using configuration messages and radio resource control messages to specify measurement tasks and traffic granularity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If network slice performance measurements are implemented over a common physical infrastructure, then resource allocation efficiency is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates because user devices are not aware of the specific network slice they are subscribed to
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network node as an intermediary between user devices and the network slice management system. This network node receives measurement configurations from the management system, identifies the appropriate user devices, and transmits measurement requests to them. The intermediary enables precise network slice measurements by bridging the information gap between unaware user devices and the management system, while maintaining efficient resource allocation over the shared physical infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the measurement process into distinct functional components: configuration management at the network management system level, device identification and selection at the network node level, and actual measurement execution at the user device level. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its function, enabling both efficient resource allocation and precise measurements by distributing the measurement task across multiple levels of the network architecture.
2Measurement precision
If detailed measurement configuration information is transmitted to user devices, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need to process and execute complex measurement tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The network node serves as an intermediary that simplifies the measurement configuration for user devices. Instead of transmitting complex detailed configurations directly to user devices, the network node receives comprehensive configurations from the management system, processes and translates them into simpler measurement requests, and then transmits these simplified requests to the user devices. This intermediary processing reduces device complexity while maintaining measurement precision through proper configuration translation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If network slice measurements are performed at multiple traffic granularities, then measurement versatility is improved, but measurement task complexity increases due to the need to specify and execute measurements at different network levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic measurement configuration where the measurement granularity and scope can be adjusted based on network conditions and requirements. The network node dynamically selects which user devices to measure, what measurement parameters to collect, and at what granularity level, based on the configuration received from the management system. This dynamic approach enables versatile measurements across different traffic granularities while keeping individual measurement tasks manageable by adapting the measurement scope to current needs.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure describes methods and systems for configuring, performing, reporting, and analyzing user quality of experience measurements of virtual network slices in a wireless communication network platform. The measurements are performed by the user devices and thus more accurately reflect a true user experience with respect to network latency, throughput, and/or data loss. The measurements are triggered via a messaging procedure involving the core network and the access network of the wireless communication network platform. The measurement results are reported by the user device to the network side for optimizing network resource allocation and configuration of the virtual network slices to improve user experience.